AUBURN, Ala. — The first week of Auburn football spring practice is in the books, with the Tigers hitting the field for their three on-field workouts of what could be a big 2018 season.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn wants a solid two-deep depth chart in place by the end of camp, and he’s well on his way at plenty of positions.

While a lot of the current depth chart projection has stayed the same, several newcomers and additions to positions of need are turning heads early. It’s apparent that Auburn isn’t afraid to turn early enrollees and redshirt freshmen loose this spring.

With one week down, here is the latest SEC Country projection of Auburn football’s 2018 depth chart — featuring the players currently on campus, of course. This piece also highlights 10 different players who created the most buzz for themselves in Week 1.

Quarterback

Running back

Kam Martin

Devan Barrett

JaTarvious Whitlowor Asa Martin ↑

Malik Miller

Once again, Whitlow has been a popular name among teammates after practices. Chandler Cox described him as a mix between Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway, and Mike Horton raved about his toughness in running through tackles. The redshirt freshman is becoming a more vocal player in practice and has a shot at becoming a key running back in 2018.

Martin wasted no time in getting on the field early when he took a pace drill rep with the first-team offense on the first day of camp. Gus Malzahn liked his offseason work and has been a big fan of his all-around skill set, particularly in the area of pass protection. Most early enrollees don’t have that ability right out of the box. Kam Martin and Devan Barrett are the top two names, but these freshmen are on the rise.

H-back

Chandler Cox

Spencer Nigh

John Samuel Shenker

Wide receiver – X/split end

Darius Slayton

Nate Craig-Myers

Marquis McClain

Wide receiver – Y/big slot

Nate Craig-Myers

Marquis McClain

Sal Cannella

Auburn WR Shedrick Jackson (Benjamin Wolk/SEC Country)

Wide receiver – Z/flanker

Eli Stove

Shedrick Jackson ↑

Noah Igbinoghene

Jackson’s “rise” up the depth chart has a lot to do with Noah Igbinoghene’s move to a two-way role — more on that later — but he’s done great work early, too. The freshman looks like a polished playmaker, which is to be expected from a powerhouse high school program such as Hoover (Ala.). Darius Slayton said Tuesday “it’s pretty evident that he’s related” to Bo Jackson. That’s high praise for the new guy to watch at second-team flanker.

Wide receiver – slot

Ryan Davis

Will Hastings

Eli Stove

Tight end

Jalen Harris

Tucker Brown

John Samuel Shenker

Left tackle

Prince Tega Wanogho

Bailey Sharp

Left guard

Marquel Harrell

Brodarious Hamm

Tyler Carr

Center

Kaleb Kim

Nick Brahms

Auburn OL Tashawn Manning (Benjamin Wolk/SEC Country)

Right guard

Mike Horton

Tyler Carr

Tashawn Manning (new position)

Manning was going to have a tough road toward playing time at defensive tackle. Auburn’s staff needs more bodies on the interior offensive line, so he made the long-rumored move official Tuesday. Manning worked with the second team in the pace drill. While he needs a lot of teaching from J.B. Grimes, there’s potential here for the redshirt freshman.

Auburn OT Calvin Ashley (Benjamin Wolk/SEC Country)

Right tackle

Calvin Ashley ↑

Austin Troxell

Ashley taking first-team reps on the offensive line isn’t a surprise. But he’s worth highlighting here for how sharp he’s looked in open viewing periods. Ashley has slimmed down from the 350 pounds he was listed at last season, and he has the physical tools needed to succeed. It’s been a strong start for the 5-star tackle.

Auburn DE T.D. Moultry (Benjamin Wolk/SEC Country)

Buck defensive end

T.D. Moultry ↑

Big Kat Bryant

Moultry was already the expected replacement for Jeff Holland at Buck. But the early reviews of Moultry heading into his sophomore season are phenomenal. Teammates recalled Moultry hawking down Malik Willis multiple times during the Tigers’ first full day in pads. Moultry’s speed is standing out early, as he’s shown an impressive burst during chute and dummy drills during viewing windows. Auburn is expecting big things from him in 2018.

Nose tackle

Derrick Brown

Andrew Williams

Jaunta’vius Johnson

Defensive tackle

Dontavius Russell

Tyrone Truesdell

Alec Jackson

Defensive end

Marlon Davidson

Nick Coe

Auburn LB K.J. Britt (Benjamin Wolk/SEC Country)

Middle linebacker

Deshaun Davis

K.J. Britt ↑

Auburn’s pace drills call for two sets of two linebackers. In both viewing windows, K.J. Britt has joined seniors Deshaun Davis, Darrell Williams and Montavious Atkinson for reps. Britt has a key role to play behind Davis this season, and he could become the “fourth starter” that Atkinson was last season for the Tigers. Britt’s stock continues to rise.

Strongside linebacker

Darrell Williams

Chandler Wooten

Weakside linebacker

Montavious Atkinson

Richard McBryde

Auburn CB Christian Tutt (Benjamin Wolk/SEC Country)

Cornerback

Jamel Dean

Christian Tutt ↑

Travion Leonard

Auburn wasted no time throwing its newcomers into second-team reps on defense. Tutt has the potential to be a Carlton Davis-type cornerback for the Tigers, and he’ll challenge for playing time as a true freshman. With Igbinoghene moving to cornerback, it’s clear Auburn is looking for people to step up at this position. Jeremiah Dinson spoke highly of Tutt’s speed and footwork, and he’s made a big impression on other teammates already this spring.

Auburn WR/DB Noah Igbinoghene (Benjamin Wolk/SEC Country)

Cornerback

Javaris Davis

Noah Igbinoghene (new position)

John Broussard Jr.

Igbinoghene is now playing both sides of the ball for the Tigers, and he looks like a good fit at cornerback. The track star has elite speed and great hips. One Auburn coach said Igbinoghene could have a future in the secondary — and he wasn’t just talking about his playing days on the Plains, either. Auburn is giving him second-team reps already, so the opportunity is there for this ultra-athletic talent.

Nickel back

Jordyn Peters

Daniel Thomas

Jayvaughn Myers

Malcolm Askew

Auburn DB Smoke Monday (Benjamin Wolk/SEC Country)

Free safety

Jeremiah Dinson

Smoke Monday ↑

Monday is becoming one of the most popular names of the offseason, and it’s not because he’s going by Smoke. Monday was a second-team safety alongside fellow freshman Jamien Sherwood early. Deshaun Davis told reporters Tuesday that Monday rotated in with the first-team defense, as well. Monday has the body type to play both free and strong safety, so he could be in a future starter pairing with new full-time deep man Jeremiah Dinson.

Strong safety

Daniel Thomas

Jamien Sherwood

Kicker

Anders Carlson

Ian Shannon

Punter

Aidan Marshall

Holder

Ian Shannon

Will Hastings

Griffin King

Long snapper

Bill Taylor

Kick returners

Noah Igbinoghene and Kam Martin

Devan Barrett and Javaris Davis

Punt returner

Ryan Davis

Noah Igbinoghene

Griffin King

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Monday is becoming one of the most popular names of the offseason, and it’s not because he’s going by Smoke. Monday was a second-team safety alongside fellow freshman Jamien Sherwood early. Deshaun Davis told reporters Tuesday that Monday rotated in with the first-team defense, as well. Monday has the body type to play both free and strong safety, so he could be in a future starter pairing with new full-time deep man Jeremiah Dinson.

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Given the fact that we play about 80% in Nickel/Dime sets, I don't think we thin at LB. At all. We list three LB spots, but we only put them on the field together in spot duty or against particular teams.

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Given the fact that we play about 80% in Nickel/Dime sets, I don't think we thin at LB. At all. We list three LB spots, but we only put them on the field together in spot duty or against particular teams.

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I've been one to wonder how TD would work at lb for us but he seems to have a future at buck. Him "hawking down Malik multiple times" is quite impressive and we will need that against these scrambling qb's we seem to always have a problem with as long as he doesn't over-pursue.

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Given the fact that we play about 80% in Nickel/Dime sets, I don't think we thin at LB. At all. We list three LB spots, but we only put them on the field together in spot duty or against particular teams.

Marsh supposedly a DB/LB hybrid... Jibunor supposedly a possible Buck and would think he would be a buck since PJ III left.

Also as much of a strike out rate there is at linebacker and the ability they have to be great special teams players in the coverage teams then I’d say 4 experienced players, 2 inexperienced players, and 2 incoming true freshman then yes I say we need 4 if true LBs and 5 if we are including the buck

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Ashley taking first-team reps on the offensive line isn’t a surprise. But he’s worth highlighting here for how sharp he’s looked in open viewing periods. Ashley has slimmed down from the 350 pounds he was listed at last season, and he has the physical tools needed to succeed. It’s been a strong start for the 5-star tackle.

Looks like the redshirt ( which I predicted for Ashley last year before the season and some on here thought I was crazy) has really helped him. Hope he can be the star we thought he might be when he was signed.

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Anyone else glad we are 3 deep at Holder? Man that is a relief that if our kicker gets injured we have someone to hold the ball, but if our starting holder (who is our backup kicker) is injured and can't hold; then who the heck do we have kicking the ball?

Anyone else glad we are 3 deep at Holder? Man that is a relief that if our kicker gets injured we have someone to hold the ball, but if our starting holder (who is our backup kicker) is injured and can't hold; then who the heck do we have kicking the ball?

Drop kick?

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Anyone else glad we are 3 deep at Holder? Man that is a relief that if our kicker gets injured we have someone to hold the ball, but if our starting holder (who is our backup kicker) is injured and can't hold; then who the heck do we have kicking the ball?

I'm actually disappointed. I read on day 1 that Willis was holding. I was looking forward to having a holder who could fake and run, fake and throw, etc.

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Not really Spring practice related - but I overheard some Auburn ladies working to get our new punter, Arryn Siposs, a place to live. Should've offered them my current place for the summer since we're moving out of here in April. lol I imagine he'll come in during summer workouts and take over the punting duties once official practices start up in the fall.